Ocean County Man Tried To Lure Child With Candy: Have You Seen Him?

Toms River police are searching for a man who they say attempted to lure a young child to his vehicle by promising him candy.

The incident, which occurred last Friday at about 6 p.m. on Terrace Avenue near Marian Street, culminated in the would-be victim's aunt scaring the man away when she began screaming, according to police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

The victim, who was described by police as a young boy, was playing in a fenced-in portion of his yard when the boy's aunt observed a dark blue or black SUV pull up to the fence. From the vehicle, the aunt heard the man say, "Come on, I got candy."

The woman immediately ran towards the street and screamed," said Stocco, at which point the vehicle fled west on Terrace Avenue towards Hooper Avenue.

Sgt. Christopher McDowell worked with the woman and a composite sketch was developed, which police distributed Monday. The man is described as a white male in his early to mid-twenties with a thin build, Stocco said. He has medium, long black hair and is clean shaven. The dark blue or black sport utility vehicle had New Jersey license plates. 

The man is wanted for questioning, Stocco said. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Louis Santora at 732-349-0150 extension 1276 or private message at https://www.facebook.com/tomsriverpolice 

All information will be kept strictly confidential, police said.